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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 

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J UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. { 





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COSMOLOGY: 



^l NEW THEORY 

OF THE 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION 

OF THE 

UNIVERSE. 

BY SAMUEL *6 LARK, 

PATTERN AND MODEL MAKER. 

Patterns for Steam Engines, Machinery, Machinist's Tools, Gearing, Brass Finishers, 

Gas Fitters, Furnitures, Stoves, or of any description made to order. 

Also, Models, Millwright Work, &c. 

219 CENTRE STREET, 

{Four doors below Grand St.) 




PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
1860. 




COSMOLOGY: 

DEFINING 

J^. N E W THEORY 

OF THE 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION 



UNIVERSE. 

BY SAMUEL CLARK, 

PATTERN AND MODEL MAKER. 

Patterns for Steam Engines, Machinery, Machinist's Tools, Gearing, 
Brass Finishers, Gas Fitters, Furnitures, Stoves, or of any descrip- 
tion made to order. Also, Models, Millwright Work, &c. 

219 CENTRE STREET, 

(Four doors below Grand St.) 



Neto-¥ot* : 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1860. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, 

By SAMUEL CLARK, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
Southern District of New-York. 






A 



PREFACE. 



In presuming to offer to the public this work, it is 
perhaps proper that I should also offer an excuse for 
any want of arrangement or other fault that may he 
found in it. Inditing a work for publication is no part 
of my vocation, and this is a novel effort, performed 
under a multitude of serious disadvantages; among 
which is want of time, my ordinary business taxing 
me in time ; and mentally and physically, to the utmost. 
Its publication was suggested to my mind in the early 
part of the year, by the strenuous and apparently un- 
successful efforts of Dr. Hayes to obtain an outfit for 
his Arctic expedition, as being a material aid to him. 
by its theory and evidence, in accomplishing his object; 
but his expedition sailed before I could find time to 
commence inditing it, and it would not probably have 
been yet commenced, but for my having been confined 
to my room for several days from indisposition, during 
which time it was indited. I have not had time to even 
critically revise it; but as it was first indited, even so 
is it published. Nevertheless, having endeavored to, I 
hope I have so expressed my ideas as that they may be 
readily comprehended by the most unsophisticated as- 
tronomist, and at least by professors. 



4 PREFACE. 

It will be found to be almost strictly confined to de- 
fining and proving the theories 7 and entirely free from 
dissertation, and almost of observation and remark. 

In inditing the work, I have used that most excel- 
lent work, ''Popular Astronomy , ;; by Professor 0. M. 
Mitchel, as my text-book, which has been a material 
aid to me. 

When finished, I submitted the manuscript to the con- 
sideration of an eminent publisher, who in turn referred 
it to his reader, who having read the first two pages, de- 
fining the theory, forthwith condemned it ; stating that 
he supposed I intended it as a work of fiction; when, 
upon my assuring him to the contrary, and that I had 
no doubt of the correctness of the theory, he remarked, 
that inasmuch as he knew that two and two made four, 
he knew that the theory was not true ; and though he 
did not say so in direct words, yet he very strongly in- 
sinuated, with a stare, that I must be deficient in mental 
soundness; which might possibly have had a very 
paralyzing effect, had not the more gentlemanly pro- 
prietor, upon my saying to him that he might publish it, 
take out his costs and profits, and pay me what he 
chose of any balance, assured me that I certainly was a 
very sensible man — (emphatically) a very sensible man 
indeed. 

Though I was treated with courteous consideration in 
other places, yet I soon found that it was too extensive 
a conception to get published by the publishing profes- 
sion ; I have consequently turned publisher myself, and 
have also affixed to it my business card. 



COSMOLOGY. 



A quarter of a century and more ago, when 
about fifteen years of age, an apprentice to the 
cabinet-making business, in the city of New- 
York, my native place, with extremely limited 
means, but great ambition, and buoyant hope 
for the future, and consequently, even at that 
early age, a philosopher, I was, upon a beauti- 
fully pleasant afternoon, the sun about three or 
four hours past meridian, sitting upon the seats 
of the Battery, adjoining the sea-wall, looking 
off upon the bay and its contiguous scenery. 
At that time the Battery park was kept by the 
city authorities in a somewhat respectable con- 
dition, and it was noted as and was a most 
beautiful resort, on a warm or sultry day or 
1* 



g COSMOLOGY. 

evening ; the bay and its shipping and the 
scenery presenting a beautiful view to the 
sight, and exhilarating effect upon the senses, 
while the invigorating breeze stimulated the 
heat-depressed energies. 

I used to think that it only required the remo- 
val of the rude border-railing, and a sea-wall of 
broad marble steps, to make the place fairy-like. 

It was my favorite resort on evenings and on 
Sundays — the only leisure time I was possessed 
of. I very possibly had been sitting there for 
hours, enjoying the breeze, scenery, etc., until 
the sun had got to shine somewhat directly 
into my face, which attracted my attention, and 
set me to philosophizing on its nature and con- 
struction. 

I had read or heard that it was considered to 
be a vast globe in a state of combustion, but I 
had also learned, even at that age, that the 
ipse dixit of any person, and even common re- 
ceived theories, were not always true, and 
therefore to consider nothing as certain that I 
did not know to be so myself; whereupon I un- 



COSMOLOGY. 7 

hesitatingly developed the audacity to presume 
to think for myself. 

It readily occurred to me that, according to 
this theory, it must be a somewhat extensive 
fire, and that it would require an enormous 
amount of combustible material to keep it 
agoing ; and that the supply of material must 
be very regular to keep up the uniform bril- 
liancy which had been known to exist from 
time immemorial. I found, though possessed pf 
a good pair of eyes, that it was impossible to 
look directly at it with them extended, I there- 
upon developed the sagacity to close them tight, 
and proceeded to slowly and cautiously open 
them ; and was exceedingly pleased to find 
that in this way I could look directly at it. If 
I had doubts of its being a globe in a state of 
combustion before, when I came to see the dark 
and distinct outline at its periphery, and the 
darkness extending from it, the doubts were not 
only removed, but the theory considered an ab- 
surdity ; for it was obvious if the theory was 
correct, the scintillations of light and heat must 



8 COSMOLOGY. 

operate perpendicularly to the line of sight, as 
well as direct, which it was certain they did 
not. 

I looked again ; and when I saw the perfect 
evenness of its surface, I thought it could not 
be matter, but was simply space ; and conse- 
quently a hole through matter, through which 
I thought I could extend the line of vision. 

Since then, I have repeatedly explained the 
theory to my fellow-workmen, and to others, 
where its consideration ended, with the excep- 
tion of the sun being sometimes jocosely allu- 
ded to as Clark's big hole. 

Nevertheless, from what little astronomical 
knowledge I have since acquired, I have not 
only been confirmed in the theory, but all 
doubts of its correctness have long since been 
removed, and I expect to produce an array of 
evidence in this work, tending to prove that the 
sun and fixed stars are simply holes through a 
vast, hollow, spherical orb, emitting light from 
its outer surface, where it is universal and 
eternal; and, consequently, that light is nat- 



COSMOLOGY. 9 

ural to the creation, and that darkness only 
exists when there is an obstruction ; and that 
the planets, the earth included, and all moving 
stars and comets, are hollow spheres, with ap- 
ertures at their poles, whereby communication 
can be had between their outer and inner sur- 
faces — that will cause the theory to be receiv- 
ed as no hypothesis, but as an undoubted 
certainty. 

I am aware, and it is to be presumed, that 
the great body of superficial thinkers, from the 
sublimeness and grandeur of the theory, will, 
at first conception, deride it ; to such I have sim- 
ply to say, that were this earth solid, and com- 
posed of the finest-grained sand, there may be, 
for all we know or can conceive, as many more 
such celestial spheres as there would be grains 
of sand in the earth, and even that, indefinite- 
ly multiplied ; it only goes to show the dimin- 
utive paucity of human knowledge, or even 
conception, and vastly more of humanity itself, 
when compared to the universe. 

It is, perhaps, proper to say here, that I be- 



10 COSMOLOGY. 

lieve that ^this theory does not alter the result 
of any positive astronomical calculation now 
made, but will be found to simplify and extend 
them. 

So far as we have any positive knowledge of 
the heavenly luminaries, they may be divided 
strictly into two classes, viz. : fixed and moving ; 
fixed stars have light of themselves, and trans- 
mit it the same as the sun, while all moving 
stars have no light of themselves, but receive' 
and reflect it. 

The fixed stars have been, since record has 
been kept, unalterable in their position to each 
other ; now, it does not appear to me reason- 
able, to suppose that such bodies of matter, 
floating in space, and with no other connection, 
would remain so immovably and continuously 
in position to each other ; but it certainly ap- 
pears much more reasonable, to suppose that 
their connections are matter, and they, simply 
holes through the matter, through which light 
is transmitted. 

I consider the sun, and each fixed star, an 



COSMOLOGY. 11 

aperture through a vast, hollow, spherical orb, 
probably about five billions (5,000,000,000) of 
miles in diameter, which I shall hereafter des- 
ignate as the celestial sphere, outside of which 
is universal light, which is transmitted, through 
the apertures, to its interior, and that each 
fixed star has a system of planets, revolving to 
its influence, the same as the sun. 

I consider that the planets revolve in orbits ; 
that a line drawn from the centre of the sun's 
disk, or aperture, and perpendicular to its plane, 
would be the centre of their motion (which 
line, I think, can properly be named the zodi- 
ac, for simplicity, and easy comprehension ; I 
shall so designate it in this work) ; and that 
they revolve in increased orbits, in proportion to 
their distance from the sun, so that, a line con- 
necting the sun and their orbits, and revolving 
around the same, would be the generatrix of 
a cone ; and what is now known as the line of 
the ecliptic, the sun being the vertex, and the 
zodiac its axis, and that the plane of the or- 
bits, and the axes of Mars, the earth, Venus, 



12 COSMOLOGY 

and Mercury, are in line with, and governed 
by, the earth's polar star, varied, to some ex- 
tent, by perturbing influences. 

The plane of the orbits, and the axes of Ju- 
piter and Saturn, I presume, are governed by 
some other fixed star or stars. 

Uranus and Neptune, I consider, are planets 
of some fixed star or aperture. This theory is 
materially confirmed by the retrograde motion 
of the satellites of Uranus, and admirably ac- 
counts for their motion, which, also, materially 
confirms the general theory. 

Ascertained astronomical facts show, that a 
line drawn perpendicular to the zodiac, and ex- 
tending to the polar star, would pass between 
the earth and Mars, but nearest to the earth ; 
and, consequently, as the plane of the orbits, 
and the axis of Mars, the earth, Venus, and 
Mercury, are in line with the polar star, it is 
a corollary, that in proportion as the planets' 
distance from the said perpendicular line, so 
would their orbits be an elongated ellipse. The 
earth being very near it, its orbit is almost cir- 



COSMOLOGY. 13 

cular, perhaps sufficiently so for astronomical 
calculations or measurements. 

This theory of the planetary motions, obvi- 
ously and simply accounts for the perihelion 
and aphelion points of their orbits, the solstices, 
the difference in solar and sidereal time, the 
obliquity of the ecliptic, conjunctions, and op- 
positions, and all planetary facts known, with- 
out the conception of some new hypothesis for 
each particular fact. The difference in time in 
the earth's passing the north and south portions 
of its orbit, is accounted for by the angles of 
oscillation, or nutation of the earth's axis, by 
which the plane of the equator is brought in 
line with the sun north of the east and west 
points of its orbit. By supposing that the 
earth is slowly enlarging its orbit, and, conse- 
quently, increasing its distance from the sun, 
which is obviously the case, accounts for the 
retrocession of the equinoxes, the change in 
the angle of the ecliptic, and the apparent mo- 
tion of the sun, the polar star, and the heavens. 

The third motion of the earth in 'S annual 

2 



14 COSMOLOGY. 

orbit, is accounted for by the east and west 
oscillations of its axis, and also the change in 
the position of the sun at noon, throughout the 
year, by the east and west motions of the earth 
in its annual revolution. 

The zodiacal light is undoubtedly the direct 
rays of the light from the sun in the line of 
their greatest intensity, which would be in 
the direction of the zodiac, and varying in in- 
tensity in proportion to their obliqueness ; it 
forms the cone of the planets' orbits ; its inter- 
vening and its brightness is the reason why 
the planets cannot be seen when in superior 
conjunction ; its position at the different .seasons 
of the year materially confirms my whole 
theory. 

According to this theory, it will be perceived, 
that the orbits of the planets are an ellipse ; 
but that the earth's orbit, from its near ap- 
proach to a perpendicular line to the zodiac, is 
very near a true circle, the form of the earth's 
orbit could be satisfactorily ascertained, and 
with all important results, by an observer sta- 



COSMOLOGY. 15 

tioned strictly on the equator, noting every 
midnight zenith throughout the year, which 
would also give the proportional velocity of the 
earth in its orbit, when it would only be re- 
quired to know the velocity at any period to 
know the diameter of the orbit, which would 
be the great desideratum, a satisfactory astro- 
nomical base line, by which, even the diameter 
of the celestial sphere, or the distance of the 
most remote fixed star, could possibly be satis- 
factorily trigonometrically measured. 

The earth's velocity in its orbit could be as- 
certained by two observers on a meridian, at 
a known distance apart, noting the time a line, 
perpendicular to the line of the polar star, 
passed the sun's centre, when the earth was 
passing an equinox. 

Supposing the earth's distance from the sun to 
be ninety-five millions of miles, according to the 
angle of the ecliptic, the diameter of the earth's 
orbit should be about seventy-five millions of 
miles ; which would make it pass the distance 
from the equator to the north pole in about ten 



16 COSMOLOGY. 

minutes, consequently it would be an item to 
have good observers and instruments. If an 
observer could be placed at the south pole, and 
looking through the north pole, have a view of 
the polar star, which, I have no doubt, is pos- 
sible, the earth's velocity in its orbit might be 
computed with the most satisfactory accuracy, 
or a south polar point could be noted for the 
purpose. 

The appearance of the heavens in the an- 
nual revolution of the earth in ils orbit con- 
firms my theory, but I would particularly note 
the experiment of the elder Herschel, in which 
he noted the number of stars seen through a 
certain telescopic disk at different successive 
points from the polar star to an angle of ninety 
degrees, which, it must be also noted, came in 
contact with the zodiacal light. In this experi- 
ment, at the first view near the polar star, 
there were but four stars seen on the disk, and 
in each successive view they gradually in- 
creased in number, until, at an angle of ninety 
degrees, there was one hundred and twenty- 
two seen at one view r . 



COSMOLOGY. 17 

My theory accounts for this fact in a very 
obvious and simple manner. The number of 
stars seen on the telescopic disk would, of 
course, be in proportion to their distance ; and 
the polar star being on the near side of the 
celestial sphere, its proximity would show the 
least number, whereas an angle of ninety de- 
grees would be in the direction of the centre 
of the celestial sphere. If this fact does not ab- 
solutely confirm the theory, it certainly is a 
great confirmation of it, and is a fact that it is 
extremely difficult, if not impossible, to ac- 
count for in any other way. 

The appearance of the clusters of stars in the 
heavens also strongly prove my theory ; they 
undoubtedly being planetary systems, revolv- 
ing to and governed by some fixed star or 
celestial aperture ; those near the zodiacal 
light appear circular, because their zodiac is in 
line with the line of sight, and inasmuch as 
they approach the line of the poles of the earth, 
they assume conical and irregular forms on ac- 
count of its obliqueness to the line of sight. 



18 COSMOLOGY. 

It would be a very effective way to prove the 
theory, and at the same time obtain the angles 
of the ecliptic at the solstices, by measuring 
them with the line of the polar star ; when, if 
true, they would be found to vary, in propor- 
tion to the angle of the plane of the earth's 
orbit, or the line of the polar star, with the 
zodiac, and it would give the angle of the same. 
This, and other measurements I have sug- 
gested, would of course require very expertly 
constructed instruments, by which the line of 
the polar star could be retained as an axis, for 
a line perpendicular to it, to revolve upon. 

According to this theory, for a transit of the 
planets Mercury and Venus to occur, across 
the centre of the sun's disk, the earth, the 
planet, and the sun, would require to be in a 
right line — in the line of the ecliptic, as I have 
heretofore defined it, viz. : the generatrix of a 
cone, connecting and revolving around the 
planetary orbits and the sun. And inasmuch 
as the earth varied from that position, would 
the planet appear to cross near, or beyond the 



COSMOLOGY. 19 

periphery, or limb of the sun's disk ; this, of 
course, would be caused by the different ve- 
locities of the earth arid the planet in their 
orbits. 

My theory also accounts for, in an obvious 
manner, and is also materially confirmed by, the 
appearance and motion of the spots seen, ap- 
parently on the sun's surface — they undoubt- 
edly being nebulous matter, probably revolving 
in orbits parallel to the interior surface of the 
celestial sphere. Their penumbra is accounted 
for by the refraction of light, which partially 
illuminates their near side, by their close prox- 
imity to the sun. Their movements plainly 
show that they cannot be a fixture of the sun's 
constitution, for they move independently of 
each other, at different periodic times. 

I consider the evidence as abundant to show 
that the rays of light from the sun have no 
material heat in their natural condition, and 
that the temperature at the earth's surface is 
caused by their obstruction, reflection, and con- 
centration ; and consequently, as I believe, is 



20 COSMOLOGY. 

universally the case, in proportion as the earth's 
surface is perpendicular to the line of the sun, 
the area of surface exposed, its levelness, or 
concavity, and the duration of the exposure, 
so is the heat of the climate, minus the effect 
of one season upon the other, and perhaps 
governed some by the density of the atmo- 
sphere. 

The sun crossing the zenith of each place 
between the poles twice each year, it would 
follow that there would be two equally hot 
periods each year ; but inasmuch as the period 
when it crosses from the equator to the poles, 
and in proportion to its distance from the 
equator, would evidently be affected by the 
preceding season, its rays must have their 
greatest effect upon a place when crossing its 
zenith from the poles to the equator ; the va- 
porous condition of the atmosphere at times, 
must, of course, by obstruction, modify their 
intensity, in all places and seasons. 

According to this theory, it is possible, and 
even probable, that the planets and the outer 



COSMOLOGY. 21 

and inner surfaces of the celestial sphere have 
climates similar to the earth ; in which case, 
if a communication, could be had with the 
celestial sphere, a good-sized farm could proba- 
bly be got cheap. 

Comets I consider to be orbs, revolving with 
their axis in line with, and governed by the 
sun, and possibly revolving around the zodiac, 
in an orbit of a very elongated ellipse, but 
probably planets of some fixed stars ; that they 
are hollow spheres, which feature of construc- 
tion I shall hereafter adduce further evidence to 
show is applicable to all heavenly orbs ; and 
that their peculiar appearance is caused by 
their interior spherical surface becoming an im- 
mense concave reflector, concentrating the rays 
of light from the sun, entering at the nearest 
pole, to a focus at their axis ; which intense 
concentration of light, scintillating through 
their poles, produces the phenomena known as 
their tails. This theory is materially confirmed 
by the fact of their principal tail, as it is called, 
preceding them, in their retrograde motion 



22 COSMOLOGY. 

from the sun ; a fact which it is difficult, if not 
impossible to accouut for in any other way ; 
it is also materially confirmed by the careful 
and admirable observations and notes of Pro- 
fessor 0. M. Mitchel, of the great comet of 
1858, at Cincinnati. 

I now come to the theory of the heavenly 
orbs being hollow spheres ; and in substantiating 
it, I will first array the evidence in regard to 
the earth ; and in doing so, it appears to be 
first in order for me to state, that I consider 
the white race of human beings on the earth's 
surface to be the descendants of the inhabitants 
of the interior surface. In corroboration of 
this, it will be noticed, that the natives of the 
most northerly inhabited latitudes are all white ; 
and in proportion as we near the equator, so 
does the two colors become mixed. Egypt and 
Assyria seem to have been the places where the 
two races, white and black, came together and 
mixed, producing the intermediate shades, 
which now mainly inhabit the southern coast 
of Asia. 



COSMOLOGY. 23 

It is known that plants reared in darkness 
are white ; and if it should prove to be, as 
claimed, that the earth is a hollow sphere, it is 
obvious that darkness must prevail to a great 
extent on its internal surface ; and what light 
it does have, must be mainly by reflection, and 
to a comparatively small extent from direct rays 
from the sun. It is evidently reasonable, then, 
to suppose that human beings, animals, and 
productions, reared in such a place, should be 
white. 

We know that the negro is originally a 
native of the equator, the place on the earth's 
surface where the rays from the sun have their 
greatest power ; and if it should prove that an 
interior surface of the earth is inhabited by 
white human beings, it is evident that they are 
the progenitors of the white race on its outer 
surface. 

We have the evidence of Dr. Kane's expedi- 
tion, that there exists an open sea at the north 
pole, of moderate temperature : and in corrobo- 
ration, we know that an enormous body of 



24 COSMOLOGY. 

water flows continuously from Smith's, "Welling- 
ton, and the adjoining channels, into Davis' 
strait and the Atlantic ocean, and there meet- 
ing the tides of the Gulf stream and South 
Atlantic, is turned in its course, and together 
they flow to the north pole, by way of Spits- 
bergen. I would ask now, where does this 
enormous body of water go to ; there is no visi- 
ble outlet ; the quantity of water that may flow 
through Bhering's strait is insignificant com- 
pared to the Atlantic ocean. I consider it self- 
evident, that it must have a course through the 
centre or interior of the earth ; and the great 
body of it returning by way of the south pole, 
re-supplies the great current of the Atlantic 
ocean, which continuously flows north. 

Again : it is evident, and is also confirmed by 
observation, that the water that enters the 
channels at the head of Baffin's bay, must be 
at a comparatively high temperature ; for it 
could not be the atmosphere, and must be the 
water, that detaches the large quantities of ice, 
comprising hundreds of miles of surface and 



COSMOLOGY. 25 

mountains in bulk, which is carried down 
through Davis' strait toward and into the At- 
lantic ocean, melting them in its course. Now, 
the idea suggests itself, where and how does 
the water get this high temperature ? It is 
certain that it does not possess it when it enters 
the Arctic or Polar ocean from the Atlantic. 

This reasoning and evidence, together with 
the earth's flatness near the poles, I consider 
ample to show that Capt. Simrns' theory of the 
earth being a hollow sphere, with apertures 
at the poles, by which communication can be 
had between the outer and inner surfaces, is 
not only probable, but a reasonable certainty. 
But there is other evidence, which to me re- 
moves all doubts. 

Dr. Kane found at Smith's strait, the ex- 
treme northern coast of Baffin's bay, one 
hundred and seventy human beings. Now, it 
is evidently certain, that their progenitors were 
not originated in that locality ; and conse- 
quently the question arises, where did they 
come from ? They certainly did not go there 
3 



26 COSMOLOGY. 



»^ 



from the southern coast of Greenland to amelio- 
rate their condition ; and it is quite as certain 
that they did not go there on a scientific ex- 
ploring expedition, and it is very questionable 
whethei they could get there at all, against 
the tide and climate, from the southern coast 
of Greenland. 

The whole history of human migration goes 
to show that it is universally toward more 
moderate climes. I consider it conclusive that 
they were thrown upon that truly and ex- 
tremely inhospitable coast by the action of the 
great current of water flowing against it, and 
through the adjoining channels, from the interior 
surface of the earth, by way of the north pole ; 
and in like manner, and by migrations south- 
ward, have the inhabitants of the coast of 
Greenland and the Channel islands originated. 

I will here presume to interpolate my ideas of 
the best mode of organizing an expedition to 
prove this theory of the earth's construction, 
and if found correct, to open communication 
with and survey its interior surface. 



COSMOLOGY. 27 

Experience has shown that it is rarely if 
ever possible for communication to be had by- 
water, between the outer and inner surfaces ; 
and as there can be no doubt but that after 
passing a short distance interior of the pole, the 
climate would be moderate, interior water 
transportation would be an item, if not a neces- 
sity, to a party exploring its regions and pe- 
culiarities. 

Therefore, I propose that not less than ten or 
twelve boats should be constructed, each of 
about twenty tons burden, with strictly flat 
bottoms, wall sides, and tapering ends, and 
with runners permanently attached to their 
bottoms at their outer edges. 

I have made marine architecture a material 
portion of my study for a quarter of a centu- 
ry, and consider that I thoroughly understand 
the subject, and say, that vessels constructed 
in such a manner are fully as safe, for ocean 
navigation, under all circumstances, as the 
convex- formed vessels now constructed, and, if 
properly understood, and managed, will make 



28 COSMOLOGY. 

about as good time, while the wall sides will 
give the desired and requisite strength for 
transportation upon runners, without damage 
to their sea-going qualities. 

An expedition, in such a number of vessels, 
with appliances, and a combination of their 
crews, would have the means of raising the 
vessels out of the water upon solid bearings, 
with immunity ; and, on a reasonably level 
surface, their sails would be a propelling 
power, as well as in the water, and, it would 
also obviously have a number of other material 
advantages. 

To an expedition so organized, the best and 
most available route will probably be found to 
be by way of the south pole, contiguous to 
which, most likely, would be the most dense 
population, on account of the direct rays of 
light from the sun penetrating there longer an- 
nually than at the north pole. I have no doubt 
but that quite a dense population will be found 
to exist on the earth's interior surface. 

I now come to the evidence in regard to the 



COSMOLOGY. 29 

planets being hollow spheres ; and with the 
exception of the evidence adduced in regard to 
the earth and comets as a precedent, I shall 
have mainly to rely upon the excellent obser- 
vations, notes, and drawings, of Professor 
Mitchel, of the planet Mars, in 1845. 

I think that, if the astronomical profession 
will assume my theory as correct, they will 
find, not only all observed appearances of the 
bright spot, or snow zone, at the planet's south 
pole, accounted for, but the theory materially 
proved. If it is a snow zone, its northern 
boundary should be indistinct ; whereas, ac- 
cording to the illustration by Professor Mitch- 
el, the reverse is the case, and its northern 
boundary is distinctly marked. Now, by as- 
suming that the dark margin comes, like other 
portions of the outer surface, immediately con- 
tiguous, and the uniform brightness of the 
polar spot from the reflection of the rays of 
light from the sun by the interior surface of 
the planet, we have its appearance accounted 
for. It will be noticed that the planets Earth, 



30 COSMOLOGY. 

and Mars, are in precisely the proper position, 
in their orbits, at the time of observations, ac- 
cording to my theory, for the appearances ob- 
served. Mars was closely approaching its per- 
ihelion and northern solstice, while the earth 
was immediately following, toward its winter 
solstice and aphelion, in a smaller orbit, and 
with a greater velocity. 

The dark spot seen in the bright polar spot, 
on the night of July 12th, 1845, by Professor 
Mitchel, is accounted for by supposing it to be 
part of the hemisphere opposite to the direct 
rays of light from the sun ; of a small orb re- 
volving interior of the planet, but seen through 
the aperture of its south pole ; it must be 
noticed that Mars and the earth were exactly 
in position in their orbits for this view to oc- 
cur ; supposing the bright polar spot to be a 
polar aperture, and the orb revolving interior- 
ly, it could not occur in the evening in any other 
position of the planets in their orbits, and in 
only one other position at any time ; the south 
pole of Mars was in its most brilliant position 



COSMOLOGY. 31 

to the sun, while the dark side of the interior 
orb was in strong contrast. 

Again, on the evening of the 29th of August, 
the supposed snow zone showed a figure like a 
rectangle, with its corners rounded ; this is 
plainly accounted for, for the earth, by its 
greater velocity and smaller orbit, was assum- 
ing a position in line with the plane of the polar 
aperture. 

On the evening of the 30th of August, a 
small bright spot appeared on the polar spot, 
or supposed snow zone ; this is undoubtedly the 
orb or black spot seen on July 12th ; the earth 
having now assumed a position nearer in line 
with the sun, only the illuminated hemisphere 
of the small orb revolving interiorly was to be 
seen, and that in its most brilliant position ; 
while the brightness of the polar aperture, 
from its plane having assumed a line approach- 
ing the line of vision, would probably appear 
dulled, producing the effect of making the in- 
ternal orb appear to project out from the sur- 
face of the polar disk. 



32 COSMOLC .. 

The diameter of the polar spot also agrees 
with what would be supposed to be the size of 
an aperture if one existed ; being about one 
tenth of the diameter of the planet, or about 
four hundred miles. 

According to my theory, it would be a con- 
sideration to have a careful examination of the 
north pole of Mars, when the earth was at an 
equinox, and Mars at the southeast or south- 
west points of its orbit, according as the earth 
was at the east or west equinox, as this would 
be about the best position to view it, if a tele- 
scope will delineate its features with sufficient 
distinctness at that distance. 

The position and revolution of Saturn and its 
rings, is no immaterial confirmation of the 
theory, that the heavenly orbs are hollow 
spheres ; but taken in connection with the 
evidence I have herein adduced, they material- 
ly confirm the possibility, if not the probability, 
of it. 



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